I need help understand the law for this. I live on 1/2 acre with 5 acres behind me, and a fee houses behind that. I have a nice big dirt backstop in my backyard. I liked shooting my .22lr out back untill Rick scott change that. But after looking at the bill and reading an article about it, it looks like I still can shoot in the back yard as long as I do so safely.

Does this sound right? Am I playing with fire and I should avoid it? Im not talking a .338 lapua, but just some fun with the suppresors and some unsupressed .22lr

Is there anyplace you can look up the residential density of your area? 1 acre or more around you - actual, not zoning as far as I can tell, and you are OK. BTW that law supersedes all local shooting ordinances and there's a legal precedent for it, too, a homeowner getting off on a local charge because of the residential density.

An alternative would be to get or make a silencer. Or shoot much quieter subsonic .22 shorts.

I swear by Jupiter Optimus Maximus .... in the army of the consul Lucius Quinctius Cincinnatus and for 10 miles around it I will not steal anything worth more than a sestertius in any one day.

You can but, you could be called to prove that "the discharge does not pose a reasonably foreseeable risk to life, safety, or property;"
Same as before that you could've been called to prove that you were not "reckless or negligent"

Last edited by deathpriest on Sun Jan 28, 2018 10:53 pm, edited 1 time in total.

Is there anyplace you can look up the residential density of your area? 1 acre or more around you - actual, not zoning as far as I can tell, and you are OK. BTW that law supersedes all local shooting ordinances and there's a legal precedent for it, too, a homeowner getting off on a local charge because of the residential density.

An alternative would be to get or make a silencer. Or shoot much quieter subsonic .22 shorts.

Already have a Rugged Obsidian so I can keep the noise down but it sounds like im still screwed either way..

Hello, men...
The big problem in any law is who gets to decide what is negligent or not. Usually it’s the responding county sheriff’s deputy.
Recommend touching bases with the local sheriff’s office and establish a respectful relationship, ask some questions and invite them to have a look-see at your setup, if you’re comfortable with that. Maybe an off-duty visit is an option as well.
Hopefully, that will pre-empt the handcuff test.
R/Griff

I’m with you there, jjk308...was thinking if you already know someone in law enforcement it might be okay to ask a couple questions.
Section b as described above would be applicable and provide the exemption if you made an effort to make your range/shooting area safe, such as with a suitable backstop. Such actions would (should) be easily defendable in court, if it came to that, with a good lawyer arguing in your favor.
It’s not really about safety, it’s about another possible revenue stream. Isn’t it infuriating that free men cannot rely on their good common sense anymore without fear of the state locking you up for a victimless offense?
R/Griff

“"Over the hill" shots lets the bullet land out of your sight but it's still yours!!
In most states, 'Manslaughter' is 'Careless disregard for human life.' 'Aggravated manslaughter' is 'Reckless disregard for human life.'
I worked a case many years ago in Wisconsin. Two guys shooting a 7.62x39 on a home range with a rocky hillside and 'dog hair' oak trees as a backstop. A richochet went through the windshield about 300 yards away on a parallel county road and hit a young guy in the arm bad enough he very nearly died on the hospital by helicopter. In my investigation, I found spent bullets in the gutter of a barn nearly a mile away.
A pile of old tires full of dirt prevents that and last a very long time.
A death from a home range without a backstop will be 'careless' at least.” ~JBelk

Do you have neighbors that will call on rimfire shooting.
I really feel if you have a safe set up, you have no worries. Most cops will warn you if they don't think it legal. Just have Trump and veteran stickers around!